Fuel Strike Hits Sasol Fuel, Chemical Output

Sasol reports a drop in production at its Secunda plant as workers and employers meet in bid to end strike action, according to Business Day.The rate of production at the Sasol Secunda plant has been reduced because of the fuel sector strike, the fuel company said. The reduced production was in the interest of safety and affected the East side of the plant, said spokeswoman Nothemba Noruwana in a statement. The reduced capacity was due to a national strike by the Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood, and Allied Workers Union, the Allied Workers Union, and the General Industries Workers Union of SA, which began last week. On Monday Solidarity joined the strike, with industrial action at Sasol''s Secunda plant. The strike in the chemical and petroleum sector, led by the Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers Union continues. Some oil companies reported a rise in the number of service stations running out of fuel. Shell spokesman Elton Fortuin said the number of its service stations out of one or more grades of fuel in Gauteng had risen to at least 100 by Friday. Shell has 230 retail sites in the province.